Your comments and tips

10 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Take some time to read the comments here from people about growing pumpkin. Take note about male and female flowers and hand pollinating.

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06 Jan 18, Ngaire Whytock (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Why should you avoid planting near potatoes

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02 Mar 18, David Cottle (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Not growing pumpkins with a potato crop is a falsehood . An easy way to grow both together an have a good cropmof both is to let the potatoes grow and when well established and moulded up at least twice after all frosts .I always throw a rotten pumpkin onto the potato patch and along with all of the pumpkin seeds collected from those which have been used . A good crop of both pumpkins and potatoes always happens .The pumpkins help to suppress weeds and are good companion plants for spuds .

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06 Jan 18, Jeff (Australia - temperate climate)

I believe pumpkins are way smarter than us humans, in the past weeks we have experienced a significant rise is daily temp and today with 43c predicted by the bureau of mythology, my pumpkins have drooped their leaves away from the sun which I think is like us going indoors into the shade. The many shadows produced by this configuration sees my pumpkins alive to live another day. They know how to keep cool! This is one one smart vegetable me thinks! All my pumpkin have plenty of water, the ones in full sun protect themselves the most. Cheers Jeff

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09 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Just the way plants look after themselves in weather extremes. My pumpkins are not doing this at the moment even though we are having 30+ degrees for the last couple of weeks. They are even still growing - the vines.

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04 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)

I have the same problem as w Watson with plenty of male and female flowers but no fruit setting. I've tried hand pollinating but the male flowers don't seem to have any pollen. Anyone know why or have any suggestion? Thanks

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05 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have had hit and miss with hand pollinating the last two months. Then again if all female flowers hand pollinated set fruit I would have 30 or so pumpkin on 2 vines. I have come to the conclusion that you look for male flowers that are a few days old. When you pick a male flower just touch the stamen to see if there is pollen on it (yellow powdery stuff). I feel the new male flowers don't have mature pollen. Use 2-3 male flowers and give it a good gentle rub around the inside of the female flower and on the end of the pistil. I don't normally grow pumpkin but have given it a go this year. A big learning curve with no bees.

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06 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)

Thanks mate, appreciate your response.

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01 Jan 18, Rhonda Taylor (Australia - temperate climate)

I always leave the skin of pumpkins on when cooking. I eat it along with the pumpkin, its delicious and is also where the nutrition is...especially on roasted! If you dont wish to eat the skin for whatever reason its easy to scrape the flesh off the skin when cooked.

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01 Jan 18, John (Australia - temperate climate)

I have a 3x3 m patch of garden where I had potatoes. I've harvested all of these now. Would it be unwise to grow pumpkins there next?

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